With a game to spare, the Nigerian Davis Cup tennis team, led by number one-seeded player Daniel Adeleye, defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 to secure promotion to World Group II for the first time in about three decades at the historic Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895.
Nigeria sealed the tie with a match to spare, confirming promotion with Adeleye’s decisive point on Sunday for a composed 6–3, 6–4 victory over Ilya Ignatov in the reverse singles, giving the hosts an unassailable 3–1 lead.
Saturday’s opening singles ended 1–1, as Nigeria clawed back from an opening defeat through Daniel Adeleye.
Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan beat Canice Abua 6-3, 6-4 in the first rubber.
From a set down, then a break down in the third set, Daniel outlasts Abdulaziz Usmonjonov 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to balance the tie.
On Day Two of the Davis Cup clash, Nigeria seized momentum in the crucial doubles encounter, after Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel outclassed Uzbekistan’s Khumoyun Sultanov and Denis Istomin 7–6, 6–4. The doubles success set the tone for Nigeria’s dominance.
- World Group II Playoffs qualification in 2024.
- World Group II Playoffs qualification in 2025.
- WORLD GROUP II QUALIFICATION IN 2026.
Michael Adeleye also expressed confidence in the team to reach the destination.
“We believed in ourselves and worked hard to achieve the win and with the same level of determination and hard work coupled with the support of Nigerians as witnessed in Lagos we will get to the top.”
Nigeria will know its World Group II opponents when the International Tennis Federation, ITF, releases the draw for the event after the conclusion of all World Group I playoff ties.
The World Group II tie is scheduled for September 2026, with the venue still to be announced.
